One Man's Journey - Conquering Zanesville
December 25, 2023
Today I flew to Zanesville, Ohio. It was a very tranquil odessey
ALL BY MYSELF.
This was a significant achievement. It strengthened my belief in myself as a capable pilot, and also in my CFI.
The Journey
Zanesville, Ohio is about 100 nautical miles away from Rostraver. My plan was to fly from Rostraver to Zanesville, then fly to Cambridge, Ohio - fuel the airplane, and then fly back to Rostraver.
I had my flight plan done the previous night. The weather conditions were just perfect. Cloud ceiling was at 25,000 feet, and wind was perfectly within my minimums. It was a Christmas Day, so I was faily confident that there wasn't going to be much traffic, as everyone was celebrating and opening the gifts in their houses. Here I was, embarking on the longest and farthest voyage, to date. I was prepared for all the expected and unexpected surprises.
I left Rostraver and requested the flight following to Zanesville. I needed to be careful and midful of the shelf of Pittsburgh International airport's Class B airspace. As long as I was under 4,000 feet, I was okay. I had picked my visual references. Interstate I-70 was going to be my companion through and through. In case I lost the orientation, my plan was to look for I-70 and then re-orient myself.
The sky was exceptionally clear today. From the height of 3,500 feet, I was able to see as far as 15 to 20 miles out. The long, thin, wispy, white streamers of cirrus clouds were making the day brighter and airy. About 10 minutes or so in the flight, and I was already cruising, and on my right side I noticed a crossing of some sorts. I wondered to myself, what that might be, and the next moment I realized that I was looking at Wheeling County Airport (KHLG).
Seeing that airport from distance was like seeing a gateway to explore -
a gateway of opportunities, a gateway of destination and
cultures. Wheeling airport is surrounded by forest, rolling hills
and farmland, and situated right along the bank of Ohio river.
Just across the river , on the other side, the mining plant was
operational and was breating some life in thatotherwise still
atmosphere. It took me couple of minutes to let that moment
sink in. By the time I moved on from that feeling I was crossing
the Ohio river.
The confidence gained is reflected in your expression. Keep it up.